On paper Thunderbolt as an interface sounds great. It combines PCI Express and DisplayPort alongside a DC connection and uses the same connector as a Mini DisplayPort. That means it can be used for very fast data transfers (20Gbps), replaces a HDMI/DVI cable to monitors, and can also power the peripheral it is connected to. Uptake by consumers has been limited though, mainly due to the high cost and lack of support across devices.

Thunderbolt is going to get a lot more tempting, though, due to Intel’s new Thunderbolt controller named Alpine Ridge. Existing Thunderbolt connections can cope with a 4K display, but a leaked slide from an Intel presentation suggests that will change with Alpine Ridge.

The bandwidth of the connection is being doubled to 40Gbps, meaning dual 4K displays using a single port. The good news doesn’t stop there, though. Intel has reduced the power usage of Alpine Ridge by 50 percent, while allowing for device charging/power of up to 100W.

There is some bad news, and it may be very expensive bad news if you’ve already invested heavily in Thunderbolt. The slide also suggests that the Thunderbolt connector is changing, meaning incompatibility with existing Thunderbolt-enabled peripherals. Adapters will most certainly be offered, but that’s going to involve spending more and adding extra bulk to your setup.

As for when Alpine Ridge will be available, the slide ties it to the Skylake processor, which is the successor to the Intel Broadwell architecture. Those chips aren’t expected to arrive until 2015 or even 2016. So with this news leaking today, in 2014, I can’t see Thunderbolt uptake increasing drastically for the next year or more when Alpine Ridge promises so much more.